True Reflections: Scars Saga 3

A Frosty Trip

Chapter 26

A Frosty Trip

12 October 1996

...I wish I there was more I could say. I wish instead of mere words on paper, I could be there to wrap you in my arms. Just know that I am well and I am safe...as safe as can be at least. And know that I love you and I long for the day I see you again. The thought of seeing you is all that keeps me going.

All my love,

Remus

I re-read Remus' letter for the third time that morning. It had been delivered not by owl, but by McGonagall through Dumbledore, through...another Order member, most likely Tonks. And it was the first bit of news I'd heard from him since he left on his mission, five weeks ago. I wasn't even sure how long ago he'd written it. I wished I could send him a letter in response, but I knew that was next to impossible.

I looked across the Great Hall down the Gryffindor table. Jonathan was reading a similar letter. As though he knew I was watching him, he looked back at me and smiled. I returned the gesture. His plate, I noticed, was still mostly full. He'd had the Mandrake leaf in for nearly two weeks now, but I knew he was still having a hard time adjusting to it.

I read the letter again for good measure before folding it and tucking it away for safe keeping.

It was the first Hogsmeade weekend of term, and it was cold and sleeting. It was miserable. If I didn't need some new quills and chocolate, I would have stayed snug in the castle. But, as it was, I did need them...the chocolate more so than the quills. So I headed down to the wintery village alongside the students.

As soon as I was through the gates, I apparated a little closer to the village. I went by Honeydukes first and stocked up in attempt to beat the crowd. I left just as Harry, Ron, and Hermione were entering. I made my way down the High Street, passed a boarded up Zonko's, to Scribbulus Ink Supply.

I was tucked behind a shelf examining some new refined parchment when it happened. A couple of students were an aisle a head of me and didn't know I was behind them. I'd like to think, that if they knew then they wouldn't have said what they did.

"I like Professor Potter; she's nice."

I smiled. I recognized the voice as one of my third year Ravenclaws.

"I know...but you shouldn't. She's a Packie."

My smile vanished instantly. That was his older brother speaking.

"What's that?"

"It means... it means she likes wolves."

"I like wolves too. Am I a Packie then?"

"Are you really that thick? Not wolves, werewolves."

"Oh..." The younger brother sounded disappointed. "But why? They're so..."

I decided I'd heard enough, and I really didn't want to hear exactly what they thought of werewolves. It was pretty clear already. So I grabbed the parchment I was looking at, and my self-grading quills, and made for the front counter. Of course, that meant heading up the aisle they were on. When they saw me they both froze with mouths ajar and eyes wide.